China has implemented stricter regulations on the advertising of driver-assistance features by automakers, according to Reuters, citing a transcript of a meeting between government officials and industry representatives, which prohibits the use of terms such as “autonomous driving,” “self-driving,” and “smart driving.”
Additionally, the updated regulations will restrict automakers from releasing software updates that enhance or modify advanced driver-assistance systems in vehicles that are already owned by customers. Instead, any upgrades or new features must undergo testing and obtain government approval before being implemented through software updates.
The ability to update vehicle software wirelessly, a feature initially popularized by Tesla, has become a crucial aspect of competition among automakers. This capability enables them to improve or fix features in vehicles remotely.
The new regulations are a response to growing concerns over vehicle safety, particularly in light of incidents involving advanced driver-assistance systems that have resulted in fatal crashes. For instance, a recent incident involving a Xiaomi Su7 sedan, which caught fire after crashing into a pole just seconds after the driver took control from the ADAS, highlights the need for such measures.
This move also follows the introduction of Tesla’s “Full Self-Driving software” branding for its advanced driver-assistance system, which, despite its name, is not a fully autonomous system and requires a human driver to remain engaged at all times. In the Chinese market, Tesla has rebranded this feature as “Intelligent Assisted Driving.”
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